1 Seriously Injured After Car Is Driven Off Cliff

MINTURN, Colo. (CBS4) – Three people had to be rescued after their car went off a steep cliff in Eagle County on Thursday.

The incident happened near Minturn. The car drove off the cliff and rolled about 400 feet down a ravine.

One 24-year-old male passenger was seriously injured after getting ejected from the vehicle. He is being treated at Vail Valley Medical Center.

The driver, Craig Holumn-Speakman, 31, of Red Cliff also was injured in the crash, but his injuries are not considered life-threatening.

“Alcohol is being considered as a factor in the crash, and it is believed that none of the occupants were wearing seatbelts. The roads were dry at the time of the crash,” Trooper John Williams with the Colorado State Patrol said in a statement.

The other passenger suffered minor injuries.

Police said Holumn-Speakman failed to negotiate a curve on U.S. Highway 24 and then drove straight off the cliff.

The three occupants spent approximately 45 minutes down the ravine before one of them was able to climb out and solicit help,” Williams said.